An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136
By Chad Bird
09/30/25
8mins

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335
St. Michael, Defender of God’s People
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
09/29/25

St. Michael, Defender of God’s People

Why did the church dedicate a day to St. Michael anyway? Who is he, and what does he do?
Yardwork and the Antichrist
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/26/25

Yardwork and the Antichrist

The Antichrist offers another continual presence. It is every whisper that tempts us toward autonomy, that tells us to carry it alone, that insists suffering is meaningless.

All Articles

Matt Kroelinger
Matt Kroelinger
08/14/19

The Obsessive-Compulsive God

God isn't satisfied when we turn our backs on Him. No, he takes the initiative and goes after us. In fact, he obsesses over us.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
08/13/19

This is Love

It wasn’t that I didn’t love. I loved deeply, but I was also aware of the much deeper reservoir of self-love that kept me from ever loving fully.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/13/19

You’re Not Fine Just the Way You Are

Contrary to what pop-psychology, social media memes, and your sweet grandmother told you, you are not fine just the way you are.
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
08/12/19

Killed the Word

Mere confrontation in the form of, “What you’re doing is wrong—you need to change yourself,” can never solve the root of our problem.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
08/07/19

My Grace-Covered Memory

My past, littered about this tiny island, resurrects itself when I draw near, but it never does so alone. It is always accompanied by the Savior.
Grant Klembara
Grant Klembara
08/05/19

Killing Our Hero, Martin Luther

Martin Luther is not–or, at least should not–be the object of our affection.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
07/29/19

Protected from Baptism

The real problem with the way we talk about Baptism in particular, and the sacraments at all, is that we are simply afraid of letting God’s Word get us.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/27/19

Three Hidden Hebrew Treasures in Psalm 23

These treasures show us that, no matter how well we think we know this poem, there’s always more layers to uncover.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/24/19

The iChisel: Defaced Images and the Human-Faced God

It’s no wonder we’re so attached to images; we are one. We are human hyphens between the celestial and the terrestrial.
Dan van Voorhis
Dan van Voorhis
07/24/19

Happy Birthday, John Newton! Hymn Writer and Slave Trader (Or, what to do when our heroes turn out to be scoundrels)

John Newton was a scoundrel, a pirate, and a slave trader.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
07/19/19

Anxiety, Depression, and the God Who Treats You Better Than You Can Imagine

God is always better than your imaginings. God is greater than your thoughts about God!
Scott Davis
Scott Davis
07/11/19

The Church is a Homeless Shelter

Begin thinking of your church as a homeless shelter. See how it changes the way you see the weary pilgrim sitting in the pew next to you.
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